Using Technology for Education

Technology, these days, is omnipresent; in all realms of our environment. From satellites to household chores it had penetrated everywhere; helping mortals simplify their work and exemplify their experience better. Education is one such sphere where technology is gaining importance with each passing day.

Recently, 14 year old Ramesh Advay, a class 10 student from Chennai, developed a mobile application named FELT(FishErmen Lifeline Terminal) that warns fishermen if they are about to cross an international water boundary or a safety line marking during rough weather. He won the Google Science Fair Community Impact Project award from the Asia Pacific region.

Technology does affect children in various ways. It is up to us to make the effect positive and constructive. If children strive to make the world a better place, they must embrace technology through regular classrooms. Western world is keen to replace study tables in schools with computers and providing high-speed internet to achieve its vision of smart classrooms all over. The tech wave has arrived in India too. With the dismal situation of not having enough schools for kids in rural regions, technology serves its bit by providing free online education.

Why active learning scores over passive learning

Itencourages mutual interaction and teamwork with peers. Collaboration stimulates sharing and understanding abilities and brings in diversity in learning.

Technology-smart learning environment helps children prepare for the real world. They gather real-time data, latest information, discuss with peers and teachers and present their findings. This elevates their confidence as they create knowledge rather than just cramming texts.

It accelerates responsible learning and decision making by developing assimilation abilities.

Technology makes the classroom a vibrant place where students love to return. There is a certain excitement to use the technology ad thus, the eagerness to learn.

Tech classrooms have digital resources and libraries which means a lot of up-to-date illustrated interesting data and saying goodbye to old heavy reference materials.

Active learning is a student-centred approach to educate. It enables constructivism, critical approach, teamwork and independent decision making. It is progressive in nature as it allows students to imagine multiple perspectives for problem-solving. It is also participatory and shapes analytical and creative thinking of children.

Integrating technology is empowering the learner. Children are fascinated by the world around. They want to explore and create. In a smart environment, they want to create websites and engage in computer programming to develop applications and put them to use. Efforts taking shape gives them motivation to move on. And while children are learning coding in school curriculum, they achieve these skills single-handedly:

Teamwork

Creative problem-solving

Determination

Logical thinking

Effective and independent decision-making

Healthy debates and discussions

The Chennai kid went ahead to win accolades for his app that benefits fishermen. If we want to see more creative problem solving ideas coming in from children, we need to introduce coding in school learning environment. Children will prove at all stages, that they are responsible and sensitive citizens. Technology-integrated classrooms and an early introduction to coding will help them achieve a sense of pride while learning.

If you are interested to know more about coding classes for early learners log on to www.codingzen.in